Research highlights eco-problems of high energy algae

Algae may be a good future source of energy but the environmental issues it causes could mean it'll never be used on a large scale, according to new research.

Researchers, from the New University of Virginia in the US, found that algae-based fuels could produce 'high' energy outputs with minimal land use, but their production could also come with 'significant environmental burdens'.

The work, published yesterday (August 10), found algae based fuels are 'no silver bullet' in the search for low carbon transport.